Skin Microbiopsy Device in Development Creates New Possibilities in Diagnosis

It's important to recognize the early warning signs of skin cancer so you can treat it as soon as possible. (Shutterstock)

Researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) are developing a new skin microbiopsy device that takes smaller skin tissue samples than current devices in use, bringing possibilities of change to future diagnostics of skin cancers and other skin conditions.

“Conventional skin biopsies are usually two to four millimetres in diameter, which means local anaesthetic is required and one or two sutures needed to close the wound,” said UQ Prof. Peter Soyer.

In contrast, the microbiopsy device being developed takes samples less than 0.5 millimetres in diameter.

The developers claim the device, which leaves a “tiny puncture site in the skin that heals in days,” is relatively painless even without the use of anaesthetics.

Skin biopsies are commonly performed by dermatologists for diagnosis of suspected skin cancer or other inflammatory skin conditions.

Currently, primary biopsy procedures are punch skin biopsies, which requires dermatologists to use a circular blade that will be rotated to cut out a three to four millimetre cylindrical core of tissue sample.

Though the current procedure is low-risk and mostly painless due local anaesthetics, the lesion often needs sutures to enable wound healing and control bleeding. The invasiveness of the procedure therefore limits the number of samples that can be taken.

However, the new technology invented by researchers associated with UQ’s Faculty of Medicine Dermatology Research Centre will allow dermatologists to rapidly collect samples of skin without the use of local anaesthetic or sutures.

Prof. Tarl Prow, one of the inventors of the technology, led a study in 2013 that found that the microbiopsy prototype allowed sampling without anaesthesia is minute and observed complete, scar-free healing in less than seven days whereas traditional skin biopsies can take weeks to months.

Soyer said the less invasive technology also offers the opportunity of having multiple sites sampled; a feat not possible with the traditional biopsy puncher.

The researchers believe the technology will allow clinicians to better monitor the progression of suspected skin cancers and other conditions by continuous sampling, without the need for more invasive therapies.

Further, Soyer argued that the large sampling size will also allow clinicians to “analyse the molecular profile of a potential skin cancer or an inflammatory skin condition.”

He said that the technology may open the door to profiling of biological markers and can improve diagnostic information for doctors and possible create personalised medicine treatments.

The microbiopsy technology is developed under UQ’s partnership in 2017 with Melbourne-based Trajan Scientific and Medical. The product has also been licensed to Trajan and will be undergoing its final product development.